Full wadcutters in the .44 Mag

B

beagle

Active Member
Okay guys, looking for some realistic loading data here. I have obtained the “loan” of three moulds. a Lyman HB 225 grain full wadcutter#429398, a H&G #107A and a H&G #107B. Supposedly 185 grains and 245 grains. Will cast some from these today to see what I actually have. The latter two are PB on the design order of the 358495 Lyman. PB full wadcutter.
I know these will take up powder space so I’ll have to “throttle back” in the .44 Mag.
I intend to load some “plinking” loads in Mag cases. Intended powders are Bullseye, WW231 and maybe a little heavier loads with Unique on the Pb designs.
I know some of the custom makers have made these designs and some of you are shooting them.
I need a starting place./beagle
 
I haven't tried any of my 44 wadcutter molds in 44 magnum brass. But I have shot some using Bullseye powder in 44 Special brass.

Unfortunately, I don't have any records of the results (I am slowly trying to amend my poor record keeping ways). I shot most of them with 5.0 grains of bullseye in 44 special brass using these old Lyman references to establish that starting point.

Screenshot 2025-01-04 at 10.23.34 AM.png


Screenshot 2025-01-04 at 10.24.05 AM.png

Good luck!
 
John, I have a B & M single cavity WC mould (~265gr., sized to .431") which I use in my Ruger SBH, 10.5" bbl. Typically I load it with 7.5gr. Unique, i.e., until I ran out of it. (You can go as high as 8.0gr. Unique, but it's less comfortable to shoot.) I offer this only as a starting point, but it is an accurate and comfortable load for the .44mag.

Edit: Generally I taper crimp these as the groove for roll crimping is a tad narrow. Never a problem though with either crimp.
 
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Maven said:
John, I have a B & M single cavity WC mould (~265gr., sized to .431") which I use in my Ruger SBH, 10.5" bbl. Typically I load it with 7.5gr. Unique, i.e., until I ran out of it. (You can go as high as 8.0gr. Unique, but it's less comfortable to shoot.) I offer this only as a starting point, but it is an accurate and comfortable load for the .44mag.

Edit: Generally I taper crimp these as the groove for roll crimping is a tad narrow. Never a problem though with either crimp.
Click to expand...
Have a similar B&M 429246 mould. In fact just went out and cast 50 or so. If you look at this bullet, it sits much deeper in the case and reduces capacity a lot. The little nose is .420" and the rest .434" and weights 245 grains cast from home made hardball 91/6/3. I load these with 4.0 grains of Bullseye for about 725 f/s.

B&M 246 grain WC.jpg
 
hporter,

that first page you posted..

which issue of the Ideal hand Book was this ?

+P.S.

John,

I load the Lee 210 WC over 5.0 Bullseye in 44 Special brass
my alloy casts 218 grains and I seat at 1.302" with a light roll crimp

Greg

may God continue to Bless all ya'll
 
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Thank you.

I bought one a year or two back, bought it to bump the order up to free shipping, worked out to something close to half off. Still unused.
Have some older friends who started young with lots of kids who started young with lots of kids who had lots. They tell me that it's difficult to keep track of all of them. Molds are the same way, frisky little buggers.
 
Removed. I was thinking of the same design in a different caliber.
 
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hporter said:
I haven't tried any of my 44 wadcutter molds in 44 magnum brass. But I have shot some using Bullseye powder in 44 Special brass.

Unfortunately, I don't have any records of the results (I am slowly trying to amend my poor record keeping ways). I shot most of them with 5.0 grains of bullseye in 44 special brass using these old Lyman references to establish that starting point.

View attachment 45275


View attachment 45276

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing that load data, this should get me going.

I have a couple hundred of the Lee 429-208-WC that was sent to me to try. Half are PCed, and half as cast, so that I can try them lubed.
 
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429284 180gr on flebay now $150 for a 2 cavity. That's a little rich for my blood. I'd be tempted a little if it was a 4 cavity.
 
I have this one in 44 - not cast/shot yet
Lee429-208-WC

Also have this one in 45. Cast it @ .453. Have shot in 45 Colt brass in the 455 Webley. Did very well.
Saeco453 WC
 
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